CHICAGO — Tucker DeVries delivered a career-tying 24-point effort as the Drake University men’s basketball team never trailed in a raucous Gentile Arena for an 83-76 win over Loyola on Saturday evening.
“I thought Tucker (DeVries) played great offensively,” head coach Darian DeVries said. “He made a lot of plays and obviously a big three-point basket late in the game. He played really hard and had a big game for us.”
The Bulldogs (19-9 overall, 10-5 in Missouri Valley Conference) began with a 7-0 spurt when Tremell Murphy a wing triple as the first half clock read 17:35. Nearly five minutes into the first half, Drake forced an early Loyola (20-6, 11-4) timeout after back-to-back treys by Tucker DeVries and D.J. Wilkins.
Almost at the halfway point of the first half (10:28), Ayo Akinwole dropped in a floater from the free throw line as Drake was doubling up the Ramblers, 24-12.
“It was great getting off to a fast start,” Roman Penn said. “When you get down at Loyola, they are good at maintaining a lead. We played well and executed a great game plan. We were able to put them in tough situations. Brodie (Darnell) gave us a great boost and Tucker (DeVries) really opened it up for us. He’s been making big shots for us all year.”
After Loyola trimmed the deficit to 29-24 with 6:22 left, the visitors responded to lead by as many as 15 points (43-28) as Garrett Sturtz muscled inside to bank in a shot. The Bulldogs led by a dozen at the halftime break, 43-31.
The Ramblers cut the Drake advantage down to five again with 13:29 remaining in the second half when Aher Uguak sank a 3-pointer.
“We knew we would have to stay poised in the second half and withhold the punches from Loyola,” Darian DeVries said. “We played physical and our communication was good.”
Sturtz executed a back cut to convert a layup to increase the margin to double digits again (60-50, 8:49 left in second half). Drake spent its final timeout with 3:49 to go in regulation. Loyola did not go down quietly as a 7-2 run capped off by a Lucas Williamson trey helped the Ramblers climb within two possessions (75-71).
Drake clamped down on defense and with only 59 seconds left in regulation, Tucker DeVries responded with a dagger of a trifecta to push the Bulldogs ahead 78-71. Free throws and an exclamation point dunk by Murphy put the game out of reach.
“It was a critical point in the game and I was open so I just let it fly,” Tucker DeVries said. “The veterans have instilled a lot of confidence in me. I’m just taking what they give me. My teammates want me being me and being aggressive.”
Drake men’s basketball has a quick turnaround with Indiana State coming to the Knapp Center on Monday, Feb. 21 for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
